The first Kenyan to ever win a gold medal in the Olympics, Wilson Chumo, has passed on.
The legend was 84 years.
Chumo collapsed at his home and was later rushed to Siloam Hospital in Kericho town where he passed on shortly after being admitted.
Confirming the death through a presser, Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei said that Chumo died after a long illness.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of one of Kenya’s pioneering athletes, Wilson Chumo Kiprugut. The renowned Kenyan sprints and middle-distance legend passed away in Kericho County on Tuesday evening after a long illness.”
ChumoKiprugut won Kenya’s first medal in Tokyo in the 800m race in 1964.
“Mzee Chumo was a trailblazer that opened the way for our athletes and country to establish the rich tradition and status within the Olympic Movement of Kenya’s athletic and sporting prowess.”
President Dr. Tergat and NOC-K join the family and the rest of the sporting fraternity in mourning this great athlete and pray for God’s comfort and strength to bear.
At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico Chuma won silver in the 800m. Kipchoge Keino won a silver in the 5000m where Naftali Temu added a bronze medal to the gold medal he had won the 10,000m.
